Salt Flat Speed steps up

Salt Flat Speed will get a stern class test when he takes on Codio and Cool Sensation in Wednesday's feature race at Northlands Park.

The 6 1/2-furlong classified allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option drew an excellent field of 10 older horses. Also in the field are Assiniboia Downs-based stakes winners Monsoon Rain and Arthurlooksgood.

Salt Flat Speed, trained by Jim Meyaard, is making a substantial jump in class after winning back-to-back races. He cruised to an easy front-running win for $10,000 on July 17 and then romped in a $22,000 claiming race on July 31. He had an easy time on the lead in both races, and it will be interesting to see how he holds up from what should be considerable pressure from Cool Sensation in this much tougher spot. Monsoon Rain also brings a lot of speed.

Codio shouldn't mind the move back to a sprint. Trained by Greg Tracy, Codio is coming off a fourth-place finish in the 1 1/16-mile Don Fleming Handicap on July 25. The last time he went 6 1/2 furlongs, he just missed to Zuri Mwana in the $50,000 Journal Handicap on June 13. He posted a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure in the Journal, so it is possible he bounced when he finished fifth in the Spangled Jimmy in his next start.

Cool Sensation, trained by Cody Anderson, set an honest pace before tiring to finish third in the Sun Sprint Handicap on Aug. 3. He could be dangerous, if he clears early.